Annual Orange Central celebration offers slate of special events

From one end of campus to the other—and even beyond—Orange Central 2010 brings Syracuse University alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends dozens of ways to reminisce and reconnect, to explore SU’s newest places and programs and to get to know today’s campus community. Orange Central includes class reunions, special group reunions and Homecoming student events all rolled into one exciting week.

This year’s Orange Central honorary alumni co-chairs—Pro Football Hall of Famer Floyd Little ’67, SU fine arts professor Gary Radke ’73, NPR newscaster Lakshmi Singh ’94 and entertainer Jerry Stiller ’50—share a lifelong love for Syracuse. They will preside over the celebration and some will even assist with promotion of Orange Central festivities, including serving as hosts at events and meeting and greeting alumni when they arrive on campus.

Orange Central highlights include:

• The Orange Central Bash featuring presentation of the Orange Circle Awards. The biggest party at Orange Central, hosted by Little and his wife, DeBorah. Altruistic efforts by SU alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students will be recognized as the Fisher House Foundation, Marshall M. Gelfand ’50, the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities, Students in Free Enterprise and the Miriam Loewy Friend Hillel Program’s Gift of Life Campaign are honored with Orange Circle Awards.

• Orange Central Showcase. A series of special core presentations and thematic programming featuring high-profile personalities, including Brewer, Singh, E Street Band/former Conan O’Brien drummer Max Weinberg, former newscaster Mark McEwen and “Flags of Our Fathers” author James Bradley. Showcase events provide a unique, first-hand look at the great things happening as a result of SU’s longstanding commitment to disability rights and inclusiveness, support for the nation’s veterans and active military, and the arts.

In addition, other special events will take place on and around campus, including:

Cartoonists’ Panel – Thursday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m.; Shemin Auditorium, Shaffer Art Building
Presented by the School of Art and Design in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, the panel will be moderated by Joe Glisson ’84, cartoonist for the Syracuse New Times, and will feature Brad Anderson ’51, creator of “Marmaduke;” Greg Walker ’72, co-artist and –writer of “Beetle Bailey” and “Hi and Lois;” Robb Armstrong ’85, creator of “Jump Start;” and cartoonist Bill Janocha ’81.

Cold Case Justice Initiative (CCJI) Presentation – Friday, Oct. 15, at 2:30 p.m.; Heritage Alumni Lounge, Grant Auditorium, College of Law
Hear about the vital work being done by SU law faculty and students to reinvestigate unsolved, racially motivated murders committed during the Civil Rights Era. College of Law professor and CCJI co-director Paula Johnson and student volunteers will present. Learn more about CCJI at http://syr.edu/coldcaselaw.

Syracuse International Film Festival (SYRFILMFEST) 2010 – Wednesday, Oct. 13, through Sunday, Oct. 17; locations throughout Syracuse
SYRFILMFEST presents contemporary, international film for year-round special events and during annual festival days. The festival includes a substantial lineup of screenings and special events, providing a showcase for established and emerging filmmakers from around the world, and also maintains and enriches film culture in Central New York. Visit http://www.syrfilm.com for complete festival information and updates, or call the festival office at 443-8826.

In addition, milestones will be celebrated at a series of special events for recognized reunion classes and groups, including the annual presentation of the Melvin A. Eggers Senior Alumni Award during a special dinner for alumni who have already celebrated their 50th reunion. The event takes place on Thursday, Oct. 14, at 5 p.m. at Drumlins. Brad Strait ’58, G’60, ’65 will receive the prestigious honor.

Orange Central also includes perennial, student-centered favorites like the Homecoming Showcase, student campus decorating contest and the football fun zone on the Quad (beginning at 9 a.m.) prior to the SU vs. Pittsburgh football game at noon in the Carrier Dome on Saturday, Oct. 16.